Subjective Time: Nature and Neurobiological Mechanisms

摘要

This article addresses the nature and neurobiological mechanisms of subjective time. Subjective time is shown to be a consequence of the functioning of consciousness. Subjective time is generated by consciousness and is one of its natural properties. A formal model is constructed providing explanations of the psychophysiological mechanisms of subjective time and the still mysterious phenomena which it generates. The qualitative characteristics of subjective time are formulated and are in good correspondence with extensive experimental data on the perception of short time intervals (stimulus durations and interstimulus intervals) and unusual phenomena occurring only episodically. Subjective time is a separate entity not directly dependent on physical time, though it may be associated with it via the intensity of the subject’s mental activity.